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Fraternity & Sorority Life Handbook, Section One: Introduction, 0

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FRATERNITY

SORORITY LIFE

INTRODUCTION

2 0 1 6 H A N D B O O K : S E C T I O N O N E

O F F I C E O F R E S I D E N T I A L L I F E | F R A T E R N I T Y & S O R O R I T Y L I F E


FROM THE ADVISORS OF FRATERNITY & SORORITY LIFE

Dear Fraternity or Sorority Leader,

The Fraternity & Sorority Leader Handbook is designed to be a comprehensive guide to the

resources, procedures, and guidelines associated with fraternities and sororities at Columbia

University. As Fraternity & Sorority Life Advisors, we want to support you in carrying out

your responsibilities and in achieving your goals as a leader. We hope this handbook will

help make fraternity and sorority life more enjoyable for your members, yourself, and the

Columbia community at large. This handbook is organized to make pertinent information

readily accessible.

Please stop by our office at 515 Lerner Hall or call 212-854-5319, if you need help or have

any questions.

We are looking forward to meeting and working with each of our fraternity and sororities to

make this year rewarding.

Sincerely,

Jazmyn Pulley, Associate Director

Yvonne Pitts, Residence Hall Director

Sophia Mysel, Graduate Hall Director

Fraternity & Sorority Life Advisors

OFFICE OF RESIDENTIAL LIFE

FRATERNITY & SORORITY LIFE

515 Lerner Hall ● 212.854.5319● https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/reslife/fraternity_sorority


HANDBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1:

INTRODUCTION

I. Fraternity and Sorority Statement

II. Columbia University FSL Governing Councils & Honor Society

III. Membership

IV. National Affiliation

V. University Affiliation

VI. Fraternity & Sorority Relationships to the University

VII. Advisement

VIII. Fraternity & Sorority Campus Events

IX. Important Dates and Deadlines

SECTION 2:

RECOGNITION POLICY

I. Definition of Recognition

II. Rationale for Recognition Policy

III. Conferral of Recognition

IV. Levels of Recognition

V. Additional Notes

SECTION 3:

COMMUNITY

STANDARDS AND

ACCOUNTABILITY

I. Community Standards

II. Accountability

III. Inter-Greek Council Judicial Board

IV. Judicial Board Procedures

V. Roles of Judicial Chair, Recorder, & Administrators

VI. Housing Review

SECTION 4: SOCIAL

EVENTS POLICY

Social Events Policy

I. Chapter Event Defined

II. Responsibility As A Sponsor/Co-Sponsor Of An Event

III. Types Of Chapter Events

IV. Off Campus Events

V. Statement On Spontaneous Celebration

VI. Statement On After Parties

VII. Statement On Chapters Residing In East Campus & Other

Residence Halls

VIII. Maintenance Of Files And Good Standing

Policies Regarding Events With Alcohol

I. Essential Policies For The Columbia Community: Policy On

Alcohol And Drugs

II. The Guide To Living-Alcohol

III. Fraternity & Sorority Life Policy On Alcohol And Drugs

IV. National Panhellenic Conference-Alcohol Resolution

Required Procedures For Registering Chapter Events

I. Registration & Forms

II. Approval & Notification

III. Guidelines For Hosting Social Events In Fraternity Houses

Polices Regarding Event Management

I. Publicizing Your Event

II. Event Location

III. Hosting A Successful Event


SECTION 5: NEW

MEMBER HANDBOOK

I. Expectations for Membership

II. Hazing

SECTION 6: ALPHA

STANDARDS OF

EXCELLENCE

I. Introduction to ALPHA Standards

II. Value-Based Program

III. Review, Scoring, & Results

IV. ALPHA Standards Guidelines


I. FRATERNITY AND SORORITY STATEMENT Fraternities and sororities have been a part of Columbia University for over 150 years.

Traditionally, they have challenged students to reach their full potential: intellectually, personally

and socially. Over the years, the fraternity and sorority community at Columbia has grown,

creating a diverse range of fraternities and sororities including single-sex, culturally-based

groups, and co-ed chapters. The fraternities and sororities at Columbia pride themselves on the

individual personality and nature of each chapter on campus. The fraternity and sorority

community offers a rich and rewarding experience for their members. In addition, fraternities and

sororities have contributed substantially to campus life, community service, and the educational

mission of the University.

Our chapters develop innovative approaches and effective programs that carve a space for

fraternities and sororities on Columbia’s campus. Integral to our community is a strong sense of

character. Although each fraternity or sorority sponsors its own functions and possesses its own

identity, our chapters have many things in common. They all seek to foster an environment

which:

Develops bonds of brotherhood or sisterhood

Develops leadership and interpersonal skills

Forms lifetime friendships

Thrives in an atmosphere of teamwork

Performs community service projects

Programs social functions for the student community

Columbia University is dedicated to education - to cultivate intellectual curiosity, to instruct in

various disciplines, to encourage social and moral growth, and to provide an atmosphere

conducive to the pursuit of these goals. It is the responsibility of fraternities and sororities to

foster these goals. Our chapters actively work towards an atmosphere of learning, social

responsibility, respect for human dignity, and positive influence and constructive development for

members, prospective members, and the greater Columbia community.

Contact Fraternity & Sorority Life Phone: 212-854-5319

Fax: 212-854-7333

https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/reslife/fraternity_sorority

https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/reslife/fraternity_sorority


II. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY FSL GOVERNING COUNCILS & HONOR SOCIETY

Inter-Greek Council

Please contact: [email protected]

The Columbia Inter-Greek Council (IGC) is the self-governing student organization that oversees

Columbia Fraternity and Sorority Life’s three councils: the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural

Greek Council, and the Panhellenic Council. The IGC provides guidelines and support to

Columbia’s fraternity and sorority organizations. In addition, they connect chapters together and

arrange important events, such as an annual awards ceremony to recognize the hard work of

fraternities and sororities at Columbia.

Council Presidents:

IFC President Yowana Wamala

MGC President Rafael Ramirez

Panhellenic President Ama Kwarteng

Order of Omega Noelle Wyman

IGC Board:

Director of Internal Affairs Rafae Ghani

Judicial Board Chair Teddy Finkelstein

Director of Philanthropy Michelle Kauffman

Director of Programming Blake Halim

Director of PR & Marketing Adanma Raymond

Interfraternity Council


The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the self-governing student organization that oversees the

Columbia fraternities that are members of the umbrella organization North-American

Interfraternity Conference (NIC). The IFC provides guidelines and support to the fraternities it

represents. IFC currently governs the following chapters:

Alpha Delta Phi

Alpha Epsilon Pi

Beta Theta Pi

Delta Sigma Phi

Kappa Delta Rho

Phi Gamma Delta

Pi Kappa Alpha

Sigma Chi

Sigma Nu

Sigma Phi Epsilon

Zeta Beta Tau

Multicultural Greek Council


The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) is the self-governing student organization that consists

of organizations with national membership or affiliations in one of the umbrella organizations

of National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO), the National Pan-Hellenic

Council (NPHC), National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC), and the National Asian Pacific

American Panhellenic Association (NAPA). MGC currently governs the following chapters:

Alpha Phi Alpha


Delta Sigma Theta

Kappa Phi Lambda

Lambda Phi Epsilon

Lambda Pi Chi

Omega Phi Beta

Pi Delta Psi

Sigma Iota Alpha

Sigma Lambda Beta

Sigma Lambda Gamma

Panhellenic Council


The Panhellenic Association (Panhel) is the self-governing student organization that provides

guidelines and support to its member organizations. Panhellenic consists of organizations with

national membership in the umbrella organization National Panhellenic

Conference (NPC). Panhellenic currently governs the following chapters:

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Omicron Pi

Delta Gamma

Gamma Phi Beta

Kappa Alpha Theta

Sigma Delta Tau

Order of Omega Honor Society


Order of Omega is a national honorary organization recognizing those fraternity men and women

who have attained a high standard of leadership in fraternity and sorority community

activities. Order of Omega encourages them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to

strive for similar high levels of excellence.

III. MEMBERSHIP The fraternity and sorority community at Columbia University strives to foster a holistic

collegiate experience that will strengthen a commitment to life-long membership and our alma

mater. Columbia alumni/ae remember fraternity and sorority membership as a defining and

valuable part of their college experience.

A. University Membership

Membership in any social fraternity or sorority at Columbia University is open to all full-time

undergraduates in any division of the university. Membership selection must be conducted in a

manner which reflects the diversity of the Columbia community and must not be restrictive on the

basis of race, religion, physical disability, sexual orientation, athletic interest, or national origin.

B. City-Wide Chapter Membership

In the case of city-wide chapters, only the membership drawn from Columbia University will be

recognized as the official fraternity or sorority chapter. Participants from outside the university

will be considered "guests" of the fraternity or sorority. The official chapter is responsible for the

actions of their guests. In the event Columbia University students are not active, the city-wide

chapter will be placed on dormant status.

IV. NATIONAL AFFILIATION


Each chapter is required to abide by its national/international organization's policies and

regulations including those for insurance and risk management. All such policies are adapted to

university regulations. If you have any questions about this, please contact the Associate Director

of Fraternity & Sorority Life.

V. UNIVERSITY AFFILIATION The Office of Undergraduate Student Life, through the Office of Residential Life- Fraternity &

Sorority Life, serves as the liaisons between the university and the Columbia fraternity and

sorority community. As such, the Dean of Undergraduate Student Life, or their designee, has the

power to grant or to remove recognition of a fraternity/sorority chapter, and to give or remove

university-owned housing as they deem appropriate.

VI. FRATERNITY & SORORITY RELATIONSHIPS TO THE UNIVERSITY The fraternity/sorority community at Columbia has continually grown in recent years to become

an important element of undergraduate life on campus. It is essential for individual fraternity and

sorority chapters on campus to understand their relationship with the university and to be aware

of the rights and privileges of their organization as well as their responsibility to the University.

In addition, each chapter should be acquainted with the rights of the university in order to fully

appreciate and understand how fraternities and sororities can work with university departments to

create a safe and successful community environment.

A. Rights and Privileges of Fraternities and Sororities

The FSL Governing Councils (IGC, IFC, MGC, and Panhellenic) and Greek Judicial

Board may, in accordance with their governing documents, regulate the activities of

fraternities and sororities and establish procedures for enforcing its rules. They may

appeal to the university advisor to fraternities and sororities (hereafter known as the

Associate Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life ) for help in this.

IFC, IGC, MGC, Panhellenic, and Greek Judicial Board have the authority to make

recommendations for approval or withdraw the recognition of individual fraternities or

sororities. Official recognition comes from the Office of Residential Life, Fraternity &

Sorority Life, and the Dean of Undergraduate Student Life of Columbia College (CC)

and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS).

Individual fraternities and sororities should maintain contact with the Associate Director

of Fraternity & Sorority Life in order to maintain satisfactory relations with university

offices and other groups and organizations.

Fraternities, sororities, Order of Omega, and the Greek Judicial Board have the right to

use, when available, certain facilities of the university, such as telephone extensions and

space for meetings and social events.

Due to the diversity of the campus community and the scarcity of appropriate housing in

the vicinity of the campus, housing for FSL chapters cannot be guaranteed. Existing

chapters assigned to university-owned brownstones are privileged to be assigned to these

spaces and chapters must continually exhibit a commitment to FSL values in order to

continue to occupy university-owned housing.

The university will provide advice on financial matters to chapters that request it.

The university will help fraternities and sororities establish and maintain strong and

productive ties to alumni/ae and national organizations.

B. Rights of the University


When a new fraternity or sorority is recommended for approval by IFC, MGC or

Panhellenic Council, written notice should go to the Office of Residential Life- Fraternity

& Sorority Life for final approval.

For sufficient cause, Columbia University may remove a fraternity or sorority's

recognition. When such action is taken, the Associate Director of Fraternity & Sorority

Life must notify the president of the fraternity or sorority with the reasons for the action

and send copies of the notification to IFC, MGC, and Panhellenic and the Inter/National

Headquarters of the fraternity or sorority losing recognition.

Any changes to the constitution or bylaws of IFC, MGC, and Panhellenic must be

approved by the Office of Residential Life- Fraternity & Sorority Life before taking

effect.

The Dean of Undergraduate Student Life or their designee reserves the right to conduct

disciplinary proceedings of fraternity and sorority chapters.

VII. ADVISEMENT

A. University Advisement

The Office of Residential Life- Fraternity & Sorority Life provides advisement for all

students active in, or interested in, fraternities or sororities. The Fraternity & Sorority

Life advisors are the primary advisors for the individual fraternity and sorority chapters,

the Inter-Greek Council and all of its subsidiaries, the Greek Judicial Board, and the

Order of Omega. The Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life does not support pre-

professional or service fraternities.

The Fraternity & Sorority Life advisors support and implement judicial and disciplinary

procedures.

Each chapter president is REQUIRED to meet with their advisor at least twice a

semester.

The advisors act in consultation with the Dean of Undergraduate Student Life of CC and

SEAS; therefore an advisor should be contacted initially concerning any problems or

situations. Advisors will follow up with the Dean of Undergraduate Student Life’s office

and with other departments as needed.

It is very important for student leaders to initiate and maintain a relationship with the

Fraternity & Sorority Life advisors. The advisor is available to help work out leadership,

organizational, or personal concerns and to serve as a resource for programming ideas

and on-campus or off-campus contacts. In addition, the advisor can explain and interpret

the University policies and procedures, which have a direct impact on the activities of a

chapter.

B. Working with your Chapter Advisor

Working closely with an advisor is a great way to strengthen a fraternity and sorority chapter and

ensure its good standing with the university. When meeting with the advisor, chapter leadership,

and chapter members should meet the following expectations:

Communicate all problems, events, and questions in a timely manner.

Respond to advisor’s requests.

Contribute to the Columbia University community through thoughtful programming and

community service that is planned ahead of time.

Act as responsible representatives of the chapter and of the fraternity or sorority’s

national organization.

When should you or a member of your organization see the advisor?


When you have questions about resources on campus for you and your organization.

When there is a concern for either yourself or a member.

When your organization is planning an event and you need help on location, concept, and

policies regarding aspects of the event/program.

When you are experiencing a conflict within your organization and you are looking for

assistance with mediation or simply with someone to discuss your concerns.

When you are working on ALPHA Standards and would like guidance.

Chapters have often found success in arranging weekly or bi-weekly meetings with their advisor

to accomplish events, ALPHA Standards, and chapter community building.

The advising team is made up of the Associate Director, Residence Hall Director, and Graduate

Hall Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Advisors are committed to fostering an inclusive,

safe and engaging atmosphere and working with chapter leaders to realize their goals.

VIII. FRATERNITY & SORORITY CAMPUS EVENTS A. Event Planning

Fraternities and sororities at Columbia contribute actively to the campus community by planning

enriching events that promote wellness, inclusivity, sisterhood/brotherhood, and a positive

environment. Many fraternities and sororities find success collaborating with other on-campus or

off-campus organizations to conceptualize educational and uplifting activities. Fraternities and

sororities that create notable events that truly help shape the character of Fraternity & Sorority

Life at Columbia and which uphold the ideals of Columbia University are honored once a year at

the IGC Award Ceremony. Types of events that fraternities and sororities can plan include, but

are not limited to:

Community service events

Educational events

Wellness events

Cultural events

Brotherhood or Sisterhood events

School Spirit events

B. Event Policies & Space Reservations

The Office of Residential Life- Fraternity & Sorority Life follows the same policies of all offices

under Undergraduate Student Life. Policies regarding Event Management, Reserving Space,

Events, Travel, Communication, Fundraising and Funding Opportunities are located online at:

https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/studentlife/resources

C. Social Events

There are important protocols in place for arranging social events, which are especially applicable

to chapters residing in university-owned or university-affiliated housing. For more on social

events, please see Part 4 of the Fraternity and Sorority Life Handbook which addresses social

events in detail. For further inquiries, speak with advisors in the Office of Fraternity & Sorority

Life.

https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/studentlife/resources


IX. IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES FOR 2016 Month Items of Importance

January

Judicial Board Applications are due

Semester Forms Due

Updated Chapter Roster

Updated Swipe Access Roster

Chapter Information Form

Hazing Prevention Forms (chapter)

72 Hours after Bid Acceptance –Hazing Prevention Forms (new member/pledge)

Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment

February

Fall 2016 House Roster Due

Northeastern Greek Leadership Association Conference

Spring Leadership Training

March

Spring Break

New Member Summit

April

Pre-Calendaring begins

May

Closing walkthroughs for brownstones

August

NSOP-Chillin’ and Grillin’ with IGC

September

Semester Forms Due

Updated Chapter Roster

Updated Swipe Access Roster

Chapter Information Form

Hazing Prevention Forms (chapter)

Activities Day

Club Refuel Sessions


October 72 Hours after Bid Acceptance –Hazing Prevention Forms (new member/pledge)

New Member Summit

FSL RA Selection

November Judicial Board applications for the 2017 are available

IGC Board Elections

Pre-calendaring begins

December

Fraternity & Sorority Awards

DUE by the first Friday of the month:

ALPHA Standards of Excellence

DUE by the end of the school year:

Updated New Member Roster

Updated Swipe Access Roster for Spring 2017

2017 Officer Report

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